Licensing Policy
LICENCE APPLICATIONS
Part 4 of the Rules of Harness Racing Victoria relates to licensing of participants by Harness Racing Victoria.
HRV may by licence regulate any activity connected with the harness racing industry [Rule 90(1)] and may require such documentation, information or fees as it determines to accompany any application for a licence.
HRV may grant a licence for such period and upon such terms and conditions as it thinks fit, and may refuse a licence without assigning any reason whatsoever.
[Rules 90(3) & (4)]
HRV or the Stewards may vary the type, grade or class of a licence held by a person. [Rule 90 (6)]
Ultimately, the grant or otherwise of a licence is at the discretion of the Board of HRV.
The licensing criteria provided below has been set by the Board of HRV to assist persons wishing to apply to be licensed by HRV in the relevant licence categories.
Without limiting the powers of HRV provided in the Rules and in the Racing Act 1958, the Board of HRV may in its discretion:-
• vary or amend the licensing criteria at any time;
• require additional information to accompany a licence application;
• impose terms and conditions on the grant of a licence;
• take into account any other matter it considers relevant in determining a licence application.
LICENSING CRITERIA
Applicants please note:
Before making application for a Driver or Trainer licence, an applicant must hold a Stablehand licence for a minimum of twelve (12) months.
All persons seeking to be licensed by HRV must be domiciled in Victoria and provide evidence of such.
Grade C Driver
The holder of a Grade C Driver licence may only drive in trials, shows and gymkhanas.
A Grade C Driver licence may be issued at the discretion of the Board of Harness Racing Victoria to a person who has:-
1. Attained the age of fifteen (15) years.
2. Held a Stablehand licence for a minimum of twelve (12) months or provides evidence of previous experience for consideration.
3. Lodged a completed application form together with :-
• Certified Extract of Birth OR Driver Licence.
• Enrolled with TAFE to commence training modules.
4. Consented to a release of police records. ($29.00 fee to Victoria Police)
5. Lodged a medical examination completed by a medical practitioner.
6. Provision of a digital photograph (Taken at HRV Office or email to photoid@hrv.org.au)
7. Successfully completed the online Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) program.
8. Been interviewed to the satisfaction of the Stewards.
9. After three (3) months minimum with a registered trainer, applicant may request an assessment of driving skills.
2007/2008 fee is $486 incorporating the licence fee, harness card, personal accident and liability insurance and subscription to the Harness Racer monthly magazine. Additional costs for Police Check and TAFE enrolment apply.
Grade B Driver
The holder of a Grade B Driver licence may drive in trials, shows and gymkhanas, and is licensed to drive at graduation meetings and, other than races of a metropolitan class, at country or provincial meetings, including country or provincial class meetings at metropolitan sites.
A Grade B Driver licence may be issued at the discretion of the Board of Harness Racing Victoria to a person who has:-
1. Attained the age of sixteen (16) years.
2. Lodged a completed application form together with :-
• Certified Extract of Birth OR Driver Licence.
3. Consented to a release of police records. ($29.00 fee to Victoria Police)
4. Lodged a medical examination completed by a medical practitioner.
5. Been interviewed to the satisfaction of the Stewards.
6. Provision of a digital photograph (Taken at HRV Office or email to photoid@hrv.org.au)
7. Successfully completed the online Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) program.
8. Completed to the satisfaction of the Stewards, twenty (20) trial drives of which at least five (5) must be standing start drives and have held a Grade C Driver’s licence not less than six (6) months.
2007/2008 fee is $486 incorporating the licence fee, harness card, personal accident and liability insurance and subscription to the Harness Racer monthly magazine. In addition a $4 fee per drive applies to all TAB races.
Grade A Driver
The holder of a Grade A Driver licence has the driving rights of both C & B Drivers and is licensed to drive at any meeting.
A Grade A Driver licence may be issued at the discretion of the Board to a person who has:-
1. Attained the age of sixteen (16) years.
2. Lodged a completed application form together with :-
• Certified Extract of Birth OR Driver Licence
3. Provision of a digital photograph (Taken at HRV Office or email to photoid@hrv.org.au)
4. Successfully completed the online Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) program.
5. Consented to a release of police records. ($29.00 fee to Victoria Police)
6. Lodged a medical report completed by a medical practitioner.
7. Completed one hundred and twenty (120) TAB class drives to the satisfaction of the Stewards and driven a minimum of six (6) winning drives and held a B Driver’s licence not less than twelve (12) months. In addition, a Grade B Driver’s Card must also be submitted to HRV stewards with fifty (50) accredited satisfactory drives where applicable.
2007/2008 fee is $486 incorporating the licence fee, harness card, personal accident and liability insurance and subscription to the Harness Racer monthly magazine. In addition a $4 fee per drive applies to all TAB races.
Stablehand
The holder of a Stablehand licence is licensed to perform stable duties under the supervision or instructions of a licensed trainer as follows:-
carry out trackwork, assist with the training, management, care and control of horses, assist with the pre-race preparation and post-race procedures affecting a horse.
A Stablehand licence may be issued at the discretion of the Board of Harness Racing Victoria to a person who has:-
1. Attained the age of fourteen (14) years.
2. Lodged a completed application form together with :-
• Certified Extract of Birth OR Driver Licence.
• Letter of reference from a licensed trainer.
3. Consented to a release of police records if eighteen (18) years or older.
4. Provision of a digital photograph (Taken at HRV Office or email to photoid@hrv.org.au)
5. Successfully completed the online Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) program.
2007/2008 fee is $100 incorporating the licence fee & harness card and a copy of the Rules of Harness Racing. If you choose not to have a harness card or you are under eighteen, the licence fee is $30.
Grade B Trainer
The holder of a Grade B Trainer licence may train any registered horse which the person owns or partly owns or which is owned by the person’s spouse, other domestic partner, parent, sibling or child. The holder may also train up to a maximum of three (3) horses for outside clients (ie. not family related) at any one time by seeking written approval from the Chairman of Stewards.
A Grade B Trainer licence may be issued at the discretion of the Board to a person who has :-
1. Attained the age of eighteen (18) years.
2. Held a Stablehand licence for a minimum of twelve (12) months or provides evidence of previous experience for consideration.
3. Lodged a completed application form together with :-
• Two (2) references from Licenced trainers.
• Certified Extract of Birth OR Driver Licence.
• A certificate of completion of a one (1) day assessment at the Harness Racing Training Centre.
• Enrolled with TAFE to commence training modules.
4. Consented to a release of police records. ($29.00 fee to Victoria Police)
5. Been interviewed to the satisfaction of the Stewards. (New Applicants Only)
6. A lease or owns stables suitable for the training of standardbred horses.
7. Provision of a digital photograph (Taken at HRV Office or email to photoid@hrv.org.au)
8. Successfully completed the online Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) program.
2007/2008 fee is $308 incorporating the licence fee, harness card, public liability and personal accident insurance and subscription to the Harness Racer monthly magazine. In addition, a $5 fee per race start applies to all TAB races.
Grade A Trainer
The holder of a Grade A Trainer licence may train any registered horse.
A Grade A Trainer licence may be issued at the discretion of the Board to a person who has :-
1. Attained the age of eighteen (18) years.
2. Lodged a completed application form together with :-
• Two (2) references from Licensed trainers.
3. Consented to a release of any police records. ($29.00 fee to Victoria Police)
4. Been interviewed to the satisfaction of the Stewards.
5. Held a Grade B Trainer licence for twelve (12) months OR has been employed as a Stable Foreman by a Grade A Trainer for a minimum of twelve (12) months and produces a reference from such trainer.
6. A lease or owns stables suitable for the training of standardbred horses.
7. Provision of a digital photograph (Taken at HRV Office or email to photoid@hrv.org.au)
8. Successfully completed the online Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) program.
Fee is $308 incorporating the licence fee, harness card, public liability and personal accident insurance and subscription to the Harness Racer monthly magazine. In addition, a $5 fee per race start applies to all TAB races.
GENERAL LICENSING POLICY
Re-applying for a licence if unsuccessful:
Applicants who are unsuccessful in obtaining a licence must wait a minimum of six months from the date of the Board’s decision before re-applying.
VCAT
Decisions of the Board of Harness Racing Victoria which relate to occupational racing licences, as that term is defined in Part IIIC of the Racing Act 1958, may be reviewed by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). Appeals to VCAT must be lodged within 28 days of the decision being made. A Notice of Application for Review is available from VCAT (Ph: 9628 9756) or from its website www.vcat.vic.gov.au.
Disqualified persons wishing to apply for a new licence:
If a person is disqualified, his or her licence automatically lapses [(Rule 259(2))]. Persons wishing to apply for a new licence after disqualification therefore must apply in the ordinary way and must meet the usual licensing criteria.
In addition, a disqualified person who is seeking to be re-licensed may be required, as part of the application procedure, to attend before a Sub-Committee of the Board. The Sub-Committee of the Board may require the applicant to show cause as to why he or she should be granted a new licence in light of the previous disqualification.
The Sub-Committee of the Board may be constituted by three members of the Board selected by the Chairperson of the Board.
Applicants who have not been licensed for 6 months or more:
A person who has not been licensed for a period of more than six months must submit a current ‘Police Check’ with their application for licence.
Visiting Trainers Permit
Trainers visiting Victoria for a period longer than seven (7) days must make application to Harness Racing Victoria for a permit. Any trainers intending to stay longer than a period of three (3) months must make application for a Victorian licence.
Attire & Presentation of Licensed Persons
• Trainers & Drivers are requested to ensure that their racing colours are in good condition and are not worn outside the driver’s trousers unless they are a tailored jacket.
• Driver’s attire must be neat and tidy.
• White trousers only can be worn.
• Black or dark tan boots are to be worn except where the Stewards allow waterproof boots to be worn in wet conditions.
Please be aware that as a general dress standard, all registered/licensed persons are requested to attend race meetings in neat and clean attire.
Singlets, collarless t-shirts, football shorts, soiled jeans, track shoes, thongs, sandals and stable clothes are not acceptable.
Concession Drivers
Effective January 2002:
1. The concession term commences from the date a licence to drive is first granted and expires five (5) calendar years from such date.
2. Wins only to count when a concession is claimed.
3. An extension to the five (5) year concession claim may be granted at the Stewards’ discretion if the driver is injured.
4. Drivers under the age of 23 are eligible to claim a concession until 31 August in the season in which they turn 23 provided that the five (5) year maximum concession of 100 country winners and 25 metropolitan winners has not been utilized.
LICENCE UPGRADES
All licenced persons wishing to upgrade their licence must apply in writing to the Chairman of Stewards and provide supporting documentation.
A Grade C Driver wishing to upgrade to Grade B Driver category must hold that licence for a minimum of six (6) months, be at least sixteen (16) years of age, and have completed at least twenty (20) satisfactory drives within twelve (12) months but in no less than three (3) months.
The twenty (20) drives of which at least (5) five must be standing start drives must not be with the same horse and the applicant must be competitive in all drives. In addition, they must not cause or contribute to interference and must show full control of the horse prior to, during, and after the trial.
A Grade B Driver wishing to upgrade to Grade A Driver category must hold that licence for a minimum of twelve (12) months and have undertaken at least one hundred and twenty (120) TAB class country drives at licensed meetings and driven a minimum of six (6) winning drives. In addition, a Grade B Driver’s Card must also be submitted to HRV stewards with fifty (50) accredited satisfactory drives where applicable.
A Grade B Trainer wishing to upgrade to Grade A Trainer category must hold that licence for twelve (12) months and have two (2) references from Grade A Trainers.
REINSTATING/RENEWAL PREVIOUS DRIVER LICENCE
Any person wishing to reinstate/renew their driver licence who has not driven consistently in the last three (3) seasons in TAB races, will be required to satisfactorily complete a number of trial drives to be determined by the Stewards. Upon the completion of the drives the licence category reinstatement/renewal will be at the discretion of the Chairman of Stewards.